Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 279, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 November 1914 — An Exhortation to Steadfastness [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

An Exhortation to Steadfastness

By REV. L. W. GOSNELL

Aaataai to tbe Deaa. Moody BiHa Institute CUaei

TEXT—Therefore, my brethren' dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, ■o stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.—Philippians 4:L

These wqrds were written by Paul when a prisoner at Rome. He was a Jew, addressing Gentile Christians at Philippi. What an evidence of the' change Christ has made that a Jew can write thus to a Gentile: “My bretbreu, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown." Indeed, Paul was

imprisoned as a result of his service to Gentiles. An Appeal. "We stand fast in the Lord.” These words imply several things. (1) They had enemies; otherwise they had not needed an exhortation to steadfastness. Many seem unaware that we wrestle “against principal!* ties and powers in the heavenly places.” Even modern spiritualism, so far as it is not fraudulent, suggests a great, shuddering llorld of evil spirits about us. While we slumber they restlessly oppose us, and we need tor take the whole armor of God If we would stand. How befiting this appeal in a day when many are slipping from their moorings of faith in the Word of God. (2) They would need to progress if they were to stand fast. We gather this from the use of the word "so.” This seems to send us back to the previous chapter where we see Paul, forgetting the things behind, pressing toward the mark for the prize: “so" we are to stand fast.. In other words, we may not stand still if we are to stand fast; as in riding a bicycle, the only way to stand is to keep moving. (3) They had a secure position; they were to stand fast “in the Lord.” Reader, are you not in the church merely, but “in the Lord?” Maintaining our position there, we are secure. Charles Simeon, the Cambridge scholar and saint, exerted a marvelous influence in his day. In the early hours of the morning, he would be heard walking in his study or on the roof above it, and they knew he was having communion with God. Maintaining thus our-position "in the Lord,” we shall be steadfast. The Argument. Our text begins with "therefore.” This leads us back to the verses preceding, and we find in them high encouragement to steadfastness. (1) “Our conversation (citizenship, R. V.) is in heaven." Philippi was a Roman colony, and many of its inhabitants were citizens of Rome. This honor was highly appreciated, and they would have endured much for sake of it To have our names tn the Lamb’s book, in the city of God, is worth any price which steadfastness may eost us. (2) “From whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” The word “look” indicates expectancy, like a garrison looking out for re-enforcements or a mother watching for her boy. Such an attitude toward the coming of the Savior was common in apostolic days, but is not so now. Perhaps this is partly explained by the fact that many think much of Christ coming as a judge and they are filled with.terror. But the emphasis here is quite otherwise: we look for “the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” and should not Christians desire his appearing? There have been star-gazers who neglected practical duties, but they are no more unscriptural than those who attend to other duties, but do not look for the Lord. “He gave to every man his work and commanded the porter to watch;” working and watching make the full program. Since Christ is coming we should stand fast. (3) "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like uhto his glorious body?” When Archbishop Whaleley was dying his chap lain read this passage to him: “Stop/ said the archbishop, “not ’vile’ body, but ‘body of humiliation.’” Our bodies are not vile, but they do humble us. The transfiguration and the 40 days after the resurrection hint the glory that awaits us. Surely, we r should stand fast! (4) “He is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Voices shall be heard at least saying, "Alleluja; tor the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” With such a helper we need not surrender. "So stand fast in the Lord.” "Hold the fort, for I am coining,” Jesus signals still; Wave the answer back to heaven. “By thy grace we wiU!”